Odin Sphere Leifthrasir Review | Backlog Battle

[@grimslayo8287]

Vanillaware is synonymous with a masterpiece.

[@BacklogBattle]

Of all the comments I read today, this is the one that really spoke to me the fastest. More to come from Vanillaware this year!

[@DarkMuj]

I prefer when they have a good story thought. Couldn't get into Dragon's Crown but I love Odin Sphere and 13 sentinels

[@malazan6004]

I really loved dragon's crown but I have no clue why I struggle to get into Odin sphere

[@malazan6004]

@@DarkMuj I'm opposite lol

[@keyblade303]

To this Day Odin Sphere is my favorite Vanillaware game. It holds a special place in my heart due to it being a gift from my late mother who knew my tastes in games while also gripping me by my heartstrings when it came to drawing me into a world so beautifully handcrafted that it just brings me a sense of peace that escapism through video games can promote. I will never regret being introduced to this game and will continue to love it till my heart stops beating and my soul becomes the phozons that return to the earth. Thank you.

[@amolsol]

Your reviews feel less like reviews, and more like a detailed essay explaining everything so well. This type of review is highly welcomed. You are amazing!

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you so much for recognizing that! I've always felt that reviews could evolve into something more than just the typical graphics/sound/gameplay conversation, so I've been at it this year and trying out this form of review! Thank you very much for watching!

[@amolsol]

@@BacklogBattle It's succeeding. Before playing 13 Sentinels, I watched your video on it. Waited for five years, ever since its first trailer. More excited I thought I couldn't be since I adore Vanillaware ever since the OG Odin Sphere. But watching you talking about 13 Sentinels, and your love for it, made me ecstatic to go through it even when I knew the game was gonna be a fantastic experience. Keep at it. You are doing incredible.

[@jacobynoctis4825]

Companies like Vaniliaware really show strength of 2D hard-drawn and sprite art. There games are timeless

[@BacklogBattle]

And they just keep getting better at it! Are you looking forward to 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim?

[@TarksGauntlet]

I've had the PS2 version on my shelf for what feels like a decade now, and though I've wanted time and time again to finally get around to it.... now there's the remake and I just can't settle for the PS2 version haha. Will get to it eventually. I love vanillaware.

[@BacklogBattle]

Super excited for Aegis Rim 13 Sentinels! It's coming! Maybe this year! AAaaaaah!

[@hyperbolic-time-chamber-strand]

This game has such a calming and unique soundtrack, this game is the epitome of a work of art.

[@BacklogBattle]

I think that can be said about anything Vanillaware makes!

[@kian26master]

I've subscribed to you since Sakura Wars review and I got to say that you put alot of detail into your videos! Including this one! In addition to that you take the time to read and respond to as much comments as you possibly can which is always appreciated. Odin Sphere was always something that interests so I willl get this one.

[@BacklogBattle]

And to think I actually removed a couple of paragraphs before finalizing this video! Thank you for the wonderful compliment and I’m super happy you enjoyed this review! More to come!

[@MrDarksol]

Hey, I also subscribed to him in the exact same way!

[@darwins.2646]

This is one of my favourite games to play on my Vita and always come back to it every now and then. Love to play as Mercedes as her gameplay is the most unique from the other characters, makes it kinda like an action-shooter. Great review!

[@BacklogBattle]

It has so many different kinds of gameplay that it's an action RPG player's dream! I remember being pleasantly surprised to see how Mercedes played in the game, but it worked well!

[@scurreith3667]

Which plays brilliantly into her story in how it compares to the others endings.

[@PatKerleyVA]

This game looks gorgeous and the combat looks so slick and satisfying! Great review! Another game to add to the buy list

[@BacklogBattle]

Isn't it? The game goes on sale on the regular on PSN, so if you're looking for digital, that's one thing to take note of!

[@petertromp8786]

Play this game on Hard mode from the beginning and you're in for one absorbing and very balanced challenge. I can't even imagine playing on Normal. Hard mode isn't overly "hard" per se, but just challenging enough to add a nice layer of tension to proceedings.

[@zonox1928]

Great Review as always! Another game that I would have overlooked without your review. Thanks for all the games you have shown me already.🤩

[@BacklogBattle]

I’m glad! That’s where the “Discover” in “Discover Play Together” comes in! 😉

[@Road_to_Dawn]

Such a good review, Alex! Gah, I love this game so much. This makes me really want to go back and play it again, despite all the other games I’m trying to focus on... I loved how unique and complex the story is. I did the same thing as you did with trying to follow that specific item’s path through the story, so I ended up taking some serious time out to rewatch all the cutscenes in chronological order. Also, just because I found the story so fascinating and wanted to know everything I could about each of the characters and how each event all tied together. It’s seriously on the same level as Game of Thrones in terms of weaving character storylines. I love it

[@BacklogBattle]

I can certainly see the comparisons with Game of Thrones! I try my best not to mention other franchises and series for "Game Reviewer Hard Mode (tm)," so I'm happy that that feeling came across anyway! I saw you also commented on the Aegis Rim 13 Sentinels post I made on the Community tab! I'm super excited about that game!

[@jonbar]

I had this game on the PS2 and didn't manage to get into it... I was a different gamer back then (more turn based RPG purist) and I couldn't understand the story that much. But after seeing your review (especially the explanation on the fragmented story telling and the new timeline addition) I will put this game in my wishlist for the next time it will be on sale :) Great review as always!

[@BacklogBattle]

Thanks! It truly is a fantastic experience! I’m still playing it!

[@erickbuck1389]

I played this game around 2008 and adored it..heck I even have my original ps2 copy still. When the remake came out a few years ago I knew some things were changed but never got the full picture of it. The explanations you did here about the combat, alchemy system and food are simple and easy to understand..something the reviews that I saw at the time failed to do so for me at the time.

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you so much! I'd be interested in reading how other people described it, because it just felt so easy to talk about the things I loved (and not loved) about it! Hope you're excited for Vanillaware's next game! We'll be hearing about it very soon!

[@Pangster]

Amazing Review Alex! It was truly a unique game with beautiful graphics.

[@BacklogBattle]

It really is! Every time I’ve had to pop in the game to capture gameplay, I’ve always been in awe of how beautiful the game is and how well Leifthrasir plays over the original. Truly an incredible experience!

[@jinxglow6695]

Odin Sphere/ Odin Sphere Leifthrasir is my favorite game of all time. Whenever I play this game or any other Vanillaware game, it is an experience I have never found in another video game. Truly an underrated masterpiece I believe everyone should give a look into. Backlog Battles should do the reviews for the other Vanillaware games.

[@BacklogBattle]

I’m planning on doing a prerelease review of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim 😉 If I do a review of an older Vanillaware game, it’d probably have to be Muramasa!

[@DrLevelUp]

Great review! I need to look for this game in the future!

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you so much! Glad you liked it!

[@eastcoasttone3952]

This game is currently on sale so I checked your channel first for a review. You'v definitely sold me on this game

[@BacklogBattle]

Hope you enjoy it! It’s a fantastic game!

[@Ji99i3]

You have great reviews man I had to sub !

[@BacklogBattle]

Thanks! I just replied to your post on the Catherine Full Body review! There's a wealth of games to discover there, so I'm hoping you find what you're looking for!

[@radicallaruby]

Double dipped on both limited PS4 and Vita versions. It was worth it. This is one of the very few videogames I can say provided me with an experience beyond it's medium. Loved the story and gameplay can get addicting, much like Muramasa. This is overall my ideal kind of videogame. The fact that they even allow you to play the original PS2 version of you're curious, makes it even better. This is where collections and re released titles go wrong, they phase out the original and pretend it doesn't exist.

[@BacklogBattle]

Radical Drive it’s why I love Vanillaware and trust in what they make. 13 Sentinels is yet another gem that some have written off mainly because it’s not action based. It turned into one of my favorite games this year, if not this gen!

[@radicallaruby]

@@BacklogBattle oh yeah I just watched your vid on that too. I almost dismissed it as well, especially after I heard Princess Crown didn't come with it which the japanese version includes. But then I remembered, Vanillaware has never disappointed me with their games. Ordered it on Ebay (I needed that art book lol). Looking forward to that one.

[@asmrgourmet7310]

Great analysis and review, thanks for your work! I did not know FFT's ost creator was behind this, I think it is a bit more derivative than Tactics' but still good.

[@BacklogBattle]

Sakimoto definitely has a certain "style" to his compositions, that much I'll say! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@havocbringer2100]

Impeccable review, deserves more views. You gained a new subscriber.

[@BacklogBattle]

But you've been subscribed to me for 7 months now?

[@havocbringer2100]

Backlog Battle Is that so? I started this video the other day, and finished it today, so I thought I just subscribed the other day. Lol

[@BacklogBattle]

Well, either way, welcome back!

[@fabionunes7081]

i too still have to play this game. i wish they remastered muramasa too

[@BacklogBattle]

Wouldn't that be something! An even better, better version of Muramasa! In 4K! I mean, they did it with Dragon's Crown and Odin Sphere!

[@YhelloWish]

There's an Ultra HD pack for muramasa for dolphin emulator it's amazing.

[@MrDarksol]

Yeah, Odin Sphere when I first heard about it, I didn't think much of it until I thought about it deeper and deeper as time went on. Then I bought it after some careful thinking and going through Gwendolyn's story, I was intrigued and I was having a good amount of fun. But as I've mentioned a couple of times I didn't get that far in her story because some mechanics didn't really sit with me and level grinding in that 1 was just an absolute nightmare. So from that point, I didn't play the game anymore for many years until the remaster came out with a whisper and then once I saw that they actually improved on the original version plus the fact that the game still looks good, I was like screw it let's see how this version plays and bought it online for my PS3. Once the game came up and I turned it on I immediately was brought back to the time when I played the original and the minute I saw cute little Alice and small adorable Socrates, I was like must lift cute cat for about 2 minutes lol. After my whiplash of cute I jumped back into Gwendolyn's story and then I got farther much farther. I beat Gwendolyn's story than Cornelius's story followed by Mercedes's story and then finally Oswald's. From going to these four individual play throughs I quickly realized that I'm loving the cast the gameplay is a huge improvement over the original I enjoyed the food making mechanics a lot more now including the new portable restaurant the character building system is very much improved and the music is so good as every single song just feels fantastic including in some cases the new arrange songs. Currently I'm in velvets story arc now and I have been having a lot more fun with this version then the PS2 one and while the first version had some issues that did not stick with me, there is no denying that it's thanks to that version that I not only love the game even more now but I also love the story this one tells. Very fantastic swell job with the review as always though I am surprised that when you mentioned the taller bigger characters you did not mention the big boobs in some of the female characters as that is another Vanillaware staple as is the DELICIOUS food lol. But again fantastic job with the review and now I have the urge to play Odin Sphere Leif after this review...... And no I don't think I'll be able to pronounce the new name for the re master lol.

[@BacklogBattle]

I don't agree with the chest comment, particularly because outside of that one character, the rest of the women in the game don't conform to the "large chest" assessment.

[@MrDarksol]

@@BacklogBattle Oh yeah right I just remembered who you were talking about. Gotcha my bad.

[@kythlyn]

Having played the original I thought I could skip this. Guess not. Thanks a lot, Alex! The backlog grows again.

[@BacklogBattle]

No problem!

[@zeroXshinobi]

Great review dude. Man I really need to pick this up some time. I really wish they would bring out muramasa on PS4 or switch. It’s currently held back on Wii/Wii u and trapped on the vita.

[@BacklogBattle]

I would absolutely love a Muramasa port on the Switch! It just makes sense!

[@hurlman03]

I just bought this game, wanting to get some history with Vanillaware before Unicorn Overlord. This review has me excited to play. I also bought 13SAR, so I have plenty to keep me busy.

[@jedimaster12100]

Wow this review is very helpful and thorough. I have to play this game. I started of on the Vita but might as well play it on the PS4.

[@BacklogBattle]

It’s a great game on the go! I kinda want to double dip and get it on the Vita!

[@jedimaster12100]

@@BacklogBattle I do agree with you it's great on the go. I purchased it physically for the Vita used and bought it digitally one PS4 on sale.

[@BacklogBattle]

When I really think about it, getting this on Vita means you have three Vanillaware games in one platform: Muramasa, Dragon’s Crown, and Leifthrasir!

[@lnsflare1]

For what it's worth, Odin Sphere Liefthrasir has the occasional frame drop on the Vita, but it's fairly rare, usually invoices a ton of stuff going on simultaneously, and is never very significant. To me, it just felt more like an occasional cinematic flare than performance issues.

[@Kytseo]

I wish this was released on PC, I'd rebuy in a heartbeat.

[@michaelcoffey1991]

We adore Vanillaware they do such amazing one of a kind games, wife and I adore this and Dragon's Crown so we wanted to see your take on the game, it did not disappoint :).

[@BacklogBattle]

I'm slowly reading your comments, but I really genuinely appreciate that you and your wife have been watching my videos! I've tried to tow the line between catering to gamers and to people beyond gaming, especially in my reviews, so I'm just happy that you've sought out to watch other kinds of content on my channel!

[@michaelcoffey1991]

@@BacklogBattle But of course, we want to reward all the hard work these take.

[@HER0333]

This is a great review 👏 I'm gonna subscribe 😃

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you so much!

[@stephentrout7879]

Can grow sheep on trees, 10/10

[@shortstacks0]

Can you pet the cat? YES! You can pet the cat. these are important facts

[@Blutroth]

Nice review, is Princess Crown also included in this game or is there a re-release for princess crown somehwere? I adore 2D spirtes more than anything.

[@BacklogBattle]

Princess Crown is still Japan only, unfortunately! We can only hope for a full remake some day!

[@Lemonade_Stand_]

I wish this was available on switch but i may still pick it up on PS4. Looks like a decently good game and love the art.

[@BacklogBattle]

I think you'll have a great time! As I said, the game includes the original gameplay as well as the Leifhtrasir one! They both play very, very differently, so in a way, you really have two games for the price of one! Hope you enjoy it when you do pick it up!

[@Zabasu]

Its Kinda remebers me on 2d Version of Valkary Profile 2 from ps2, but the compat in that game is different

[@BacklogBattle]

This actually was something I thought of when I watched the opening! Combat is definitely different though!

[@DamTheLad]

I have it on PS2 and PS4 and didn't play it yet. It'll be that time, I think, when I'll finish Xenoblade Chronicles Remastered. How many hours did it takes you to complete it ?

[@BacklogBattle]

Roughly around 47 hours, iirc. The new game plus is pretty fun! It basically starts the enemies at higher levels, and your progress continues from the prior playthrough, so you really get to flex your combo skills in it! I’m still playing it!

[@Senumunu]

i wish western companies would put half as much effort into their games presentation as the japanese do.

[@BacklogBattle]

Preach! There’s so many great games from that region that have great presentation!

[@lnsflare1]

Check out SuperGiant games, who (between Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, and Hades) are basically the Western analog for Vanillaware in terms of gorgeous art styles, amazing soundtracks, top notch stories, and unique gameplay loops.

[@nesoukkefka1741]

I didn't like the original PS2 game, thought the battle system was way to clunky and just not fun to play, this ruined the game for me back then cause I liked the rest but just couldn't stand the gameplay. And well this Remake put it simply does everything I wanted, the gameplay was much improve it went from a annoying to one of the most fun game I ever played, and thanks to that I could enjoy the rest which I already much more, and this game finally became rightfully one of my all time favorite.

[@BacklogBattle]

I remember trying the old controls in Leifthrasir and IT WAS HORRIBLE! The funny thing is that I *still* have my Greatest Hits version of Odin Sphere, but I'd never put it in my PS2! This is akin to finding out that you've had what seemed like a gold nugget, only to find out that it's a piece of excrement with gold paint 😂

[@thaiboypsp3000]

Not my type of game but it looks super interesting!

[@BacklogBattle]

It is! Vanillaware’s really done a great job lately! I imagine this won’t be the last game from them you’ll hear from me this year 😉

[@thaiboypsp3000]

This comment aged like milk. I just spent $80 on this game Vita. I’ve been on Vanillaware’s binge since I experienced the masterpiece that was 13 sentinels.

[@gilgameshlfx7006]

There is an option that allows you to combine all five narratives so you can actually view the entire story in chronological order. It's easier to understand the narrative once you put everything in order.

[@BacklogBattle]

Is there? I don’t recall ever seeing a way to do that. There’s a way to see all narratives at once in one timeline but they’re still split between narratives

[@gilgameshlfx7006]

@@BacklogBattle I remembered there is one after you cleared the true ending. I had to fire up my PS Vita back again to confirm. Currently working and Vita is lying in the storage back home. So it's going to take few hours for me to give a definite answer on this matter.

[@gilgameshlfx7006]

@@BacklogBattle Found it. Load the game, while commanding Alice, grab Socrates (the cat), sit (holding Socrates), view Story Archive, press [Start] button to change from [Normal Display] to [Chronological Display]. Noted that this is based on Vita version. I don't exactly sure what is the exact requirement to unlock this feature, but from my save file I only have True End and one Bad End, and both shown in [Chronological Display]. Edit: Probably on New Game+ because that's how I get to view the story in chronological order.

[@BacklogBattle]

@@gilgameshlfx7006 I’ll go check it out! Thank you!

[@gilgameshlfx7006]

@@BacklogBattle Upon inspection looks like only True End appear on Chronological Display. I got confused there for a second.

[@gowronsonofmrel867]

Game looks really cool but I cant stand games with damage numbers, is there a way to turn that off?

[@BacklogBattle]

Sadly there isn’t

[@LaLtheGaL]

I’m currently playing Dragon’s Crown. Is this game different enough that I can move from Dragon’s Crown to this? Or am I gonna feel burnt out.

[@BacklogBattle]

Absolutely different! Dragon’s Crown is a beat em up in the same vein as Streets of Rage and Dungeons and Dragons in the arcade in the 90s, which means the story isn’t as involved. This feels a bit like a Metroidvania with a much more involved story and lots of fun combos and skills! You might want to wait for a sale though - it often drops to $20 on PSN on occasion!

[@LaLtheGaL]

@@BacklogBattle Thanks for your reply! I already have it on Vita as I found it at a good price a couple of years ago at a convention. Great review, as always.

[@XX-121]

too bad they didn't release this on PC. i would love to play it.

[@BacklogBattle]

One day perhaps!

[@watchergirl9]

Ah the game that made me late to my lunch date with my dad.....on the demo. Next payday I brought it immediately.

[@BacklogBattle]

Have you played through it?

[@watchergirl9]

@@BacklogBattle no. I plan to once I get more storage on my PS Vita.

[@jochenmouton4453]

This version was also released on ps3

[@k45oz29]

Still waiting on the pc port

[@BacklogBattle]

I would pick up any of Vanillaware's games again if they hit PC!

[@Chromelium]

Gotta pick this up while it's on sale for 128 hong kong dollars. (16.5 USD)

[@BacklogBattle]

Definitely have seen the game drop down to the price you mentioned!

[@Neon_Bayhem]

So I never use the suspend feature. I always save and turn off the console. I have an irrational fear that suspend could shorten the lifespan of my console. I'm in my 40s.

[@bobtornton1436]

Odin sphre is among my favorite all time game. I wish they could release all the game on steam one day. But i think it will never happen :/

[@BacklogBattle]

Bob Tornton it might! We can never truly know!

[@bobtornton1436]

@@BacklogBattle are you talking about a christmas miracle ? :)

[@BacklogBattle]

@@bobtornton1436 If I had that power, I wouldn't hide it from you all lol

[@DaddyGamerDiaries]

So that’s how you pronounce Leifthrasir!!!

[@benlogan100]

Subbed

[@yungskeleton-wotvffbe8939]

11:05 this makes me depressed

[@BacklogBattle]

The part about Square Enix's remakes?

[@chirsjavier11]

I just got through Gwendolyn’s story, but I’m just not sure if it’s worth playing all of the stories since it’s pretty much the same thing…

[@BacklogBattle]

That’s quite the assumption! Especially since not every character plays the same or has been introduced in that one scenario

[@civilwarfare101]

Damn this game looks good but I wish you didn't have to replay the same sections multiple times.

[@BacklogBattle]

The look of the areas are similar but the map layouts and enemies vary the more you continue. Because the gameplay’s really good, this becomes a very small part of what is basically one of the best action RPGs in recent memory!

[@civilwarfare101]

@@BacklogBattle I'll keep that in mind. I do really want to try this game out.

[@alangonzalezmartinez8189]

Man, as much as I was enjoying this game I just couldn't bring myself to go through the same campaign... how many times?? 5?! nah

[@BacklogBattle]

You do know that while the levels look the same that they layouts and bosses are different, right? And the characters don’t play the same at all.

[@alangonzalezmartinez8189]

@@BacklogBattle Yeah some of them do change. I still found the game repetitive. Willing to give it another go one of these days

[@TheTickyTickyTicky]

They don't make games like this anymore.

[@BacklogBattle]

They as in Vanillaware or just developers in general?

[@ThomasJeff1898]

@@BacklogBattle I think the OP is referring to developers in general.

[@gustavoadolfoguardado9101]

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